Highfield Discovery Garden

These are from a few weeks ago. Matt and Riley were away for the day on a skatepark trip. Maya, Seth and I spent an afternoon at the Highfield Discovery Garden at Glenwood Gardens in Cincinnati.

Seth's new joy: saying, "Mom, come take a picture!" Then running away just before I snap the picture.


Scavenger Hunt

Spotting fish and frogs in the pond

In the center of a spiral pathway

Seth's picture posing trickery again! Look at that *joy*! Love it!!!

Wednesday Gratitude

A few of the things I'm thankful for:

1. All of the new things we've gotten to see and do and learn about this week in Baltimore and D.C. -- the museums, the aquarium, the metro, the harbor, the parks. And I'm thankful that we get to do those kinds of things when there aren't big crowds.

2. I'm not usually thankful for my Kentucky accent, but this week we got to meet and chat with several people because of it -- must have really stood out here! One was surprised that we live in KY but don't own any horses. Another was surprised that our grass is not really blue. If anyone was surprised that we were wearing shoes, they were too nice to say so! ;-)

3. For learning that sounds like "Oooooh, look at this!" or "Hey, check this out!"

4. For candy -- because of general yummy goodness & because something so simple can make such a huge difference on a mile-long walk with tired kids at the end of the day.

5. For some upcoming down time with no plans.

Australia exhibit, Baltimore, National Aquarium

Maya & frilled lizard

Jellies

Jellies

Love & dolphins

Maya's favorite channel

Donating to preserve rainforests

rainforest exhibit, national aquarium, Baltimore

National Aquarium, Baltimore

National Aquarium, Baltimore

Taking pictures at the Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD

Watching Atlantis take off!!!

Long days of travel are much more fun withlots of time to play!

Stopping at a skatepark & playground for some fresh air & sunshine on our way to Baltimore

Library

We went to the library tonight to see children's nonfiction author Kelly Milner Halls.

Riley had read a cryptozoology book of hers and was excited to hear about another one she has coming out in a couple of years that is specifically about research related to Sasquatch. He also loved hearing about her research, including going on a fossil dig, for her book about dinosaurs.

Maya's been working on writing her own books the last few days: one about our dog, Pablo, and the other about dragons, inspired by all the dragon-themed play with her friend Hayes over the last few days.

Wednesday Gratitude

1. For the idea of armistice, that even if we can't manage to make it for very long, we at least recognize the value of taking a break from fighting with each other.

2. For everyone anywhere who dedicates themselves to making someone else's life more joyful, free, and light.

3. For the woods -- where there is openness and balance and amazing beauty and just aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh.

4. For all of the people who see things differently than I did in the past and different still than how I see things right now today. And for the learning and growth that comes with that.

5. For the occasional person who shares my view on something -- so that at least when I'm feeling like I woke up in some kind of bizarro world or Twilight Zone I know I'm not alone!!!!!!

Wednesday Gratitude on Thursday again

This week, I'm feeling grateful for:

1. Restaurants. I really want to like to cook, and it's enjoyable enough when I can cook something everyone likes. But we all have such hugely diverse taste preferences, and a restaurant with a diverse menu is just awesome!

2. My camera. I forgot to bring it with us on this trip. The cell phone camera just doesn't compare. I *love* having lots of good pictures around.

3. Getting to be there and be a part of so many of the times my kids make some new connection or discover a new interest. It is a very cool life we've got going on here!

4. Time outside in the sunshine, even if it's a bit cold. We're in Chicago this week and on the eastern edge of the central time zone. The sun sets well before most people get off work.

5. That Matt will do things like bring Riley along on his corporate dinner last night because Riley just wanted to be with him. And that he will enjoy taking him and Seth up in the Sears Tower sky deck today because I would really rather not go. I love heights on a big roller coaster. Standing on something like the sky deck looking down is too dizzying for me!

Sethy & me in the car waiting for Maya & Ri to finish at the park. Thinking we'll look for something warmer to do today!

Riley at the skatepark, St Charles, IL

Maya at the skatepark in St Charles, IL

Freezing and playing at the dog park in St. Charles, IL